King Raza Back, Inspires Series Lead Over The Irish
Zimbabwe won by 3 wickets on the last ball of a rain-affected cliff-hanger. Clive Madande the hero with a last ball boundary. Sikandar Raza has been named in Zimbabwe’s 15-man squad for the three-match one day international (ODI) series against Ireland that got underway in Harare this Wednesday.
The star all-rounder missed the just-ended Twenty20 international (T20I) series between the two sides after Zimbabwe Cricket gave him permission to play franchise cricket elsewhere.
Apart from Raza, former captain Chamunorwa Chibhabha was recalled to boost Zimbabwe’s top-order batting options.
Also back in the fold is leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta, who has been enjoying a rich vein of form on the domestic front.
Top-order batter Gary Ballance, who missed the last two T20I matches against Ireland due to mild concussion, is fit again and in line to make his ODI bow for the country of his birth after he was included in the squad.
Zimbabwe was however without veteran all-rounder Sean Williams after he broke a right-hand finger in the field during the second game on Saturday.
The rest of the players in the squad, led by captain Craig Ervine, were all involved in the T20I series which Zimbabwe won by two victories to one after beating Ireland by four wickets in a nail-biting decider played in front of a capacity crowd at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
The ODI matches will run from Wednesday, 18th January, the second game pencilled in for Saturday, 21 January, and the third and final set for Monday, 23 January.
The games start at 9.15 am local time.
Tickets for the series are available online at www.webtickets.co.za and will also be sold at the venue gates on matchdays.
There will be free entry for pensioners and children in full school uniform.
Zimbabwe ODI Squad VS Ireland includes:
Ervine Craig (captain), Ballance Gary, Burl Ryan, Chatara Tendai, Chibhabha Chamunorwa, Evans Bradley, Kaia Innocent, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Masakadza Wellington, Mavuta Brandon, Ngarava Richard, Nyauchi Victor and Raza Sikandar.
